Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) appears to be associated with
a retrovirus called Human Intracisternal A-Type Particle, or HIAP.
Researchers believe that JRA may develop in genetically susceptible
individuals who have been infected by HIAP and who might have been
subjected to one or more specific stimuli from internal or external
sources.

Autoimmune Technologies is developing viral protein antibody tests
based on the patented HIAP technology. The Autoimmune Disease Virus
Assay, or ADVA, is one of these tests. The Company believes these
tests will have a high degree of specificity for JRA and other HIAP-associated disorders. The tests are still in the laboratory
stage and are not yet generally available for investigational or
clinical use.